Second Battle of the Shrike Vortex

Military: Battle

Damaged, the Conservatory Shrike moves upon the Stavik fortress of Myth Decima Drang, ignoring the Stavik capital. The Empire, however, laid in wait for just this moment.

The fortress was a foothold and king of the hill like crowning point throughout Stavik tradition and civil wars, and it was the clear target. However, it was then that the Alliance's counteroffensive was finally revealed.   The Shrike became trapped, as dragons descended upon it from all sides, clearly out-maneuvered, and hidden artillery fired upon it from all angles and mountains. Wardens teleport in and attack Myth Decima, but the Arcanists have to focus on freeing the Shrike as their strongest battle platform in the war, rather than fighting off the dragons or supporting the Wardens. The Shrike is not destroyed, but is driven back in a resounding defeat, now revealed that the Mystics/Pact Brokers of the 'ran clan, partnered with the sheer will of the Invokers in Meneval, are not simply trifling wielders of magic.   A fear of losing their saving grace causes the Conservatory to recall the Shrike to Golryon and use it defensively for the next leg of the war, as losing it would likely mean defeat.